Kathy Kuck resigns as president and CEO of Pocono Health System

Kathy Kuck resigned today, effectively immediately, as president and CEO of Pocono Health System/Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg.

Jeff Snyder, PHS senior vice president and chief operating officer, was named as interim president of the health system and medical center.

"I have spent the past eight years here in East Stroudsburg and am proud of what we have accomplished here," Kuck said today in a statement issued by the health system. "I felt this was the appropriate time for me to consider new opportunities; it has been my honor to be associated with such a skilled and compassionate group of employees, physicians and board members."

Kuck, whose compensation was about $1 million annually, joined PHS/PMC in 2006 as vice president for patient care services and was named CEO in December 2008.

"I can assure you this was absolutely her own personal decision to move on and not the board's decision in any way," Geoffrey Roche, director community/government relations for PHS/PMC, said this afternoon in a phone interview. "There is nothing for anyone to read into."

With 1,850 workers, Pocono Health System is the third largest employer in Monroe County. Its primary facility is Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg.

Kuck's resignation is just two weeks after Pocono Medical Center held the grand opening of its $3 million Bartonsville Health Center on April 4 in Monroe County.

Monroe County Commissioner John Moyer said he received a phone call early this morning from a PHS board member, letting him know that Kuck's resignation was unexpected.

"At this point, it seems that this was her decision and hers alone," Moyer said this afternoon. "I am sorry to see her go; she was definitely a bright spot in our community."

Snyder will serve as interim president while the board looks for a new CEO.

"For the past six years, Kathy has served as an important force in helping ensure the delivery of quality health care to the citizens of Monroe County and the surrounding area," PHS/PMC board chairman W. Andrew Worthington said in the statement. "She deserves great credit for her community involvement and leadership and for acting at all times in the best interests of the Pocono Health System; we are grateful to Kathy for her contributions to the medical center and the community and wish her continued success."

Snyder joined PHS/PMC in 2012, previously serving as CEO of Mercy Suburban Hospital in East Norriton and chief operating officer of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to serve this community," Snyder said in the statement. "Building upon the strong foundation of our world class physicians and dedicated team, I am confident that together we will continue to grow and succeed as we care for the families of our community."

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Jennifer Glose

Reporter Jennifer Glose covers health care, Berks County and other topics. She can be reached at jenniferg@lvb.com or 610-807-9619, ext. 111. Follow her on Twitter @jenniferg_LVB and read her blog, “Networking,” at http://www.lvb.com/section/networking-blog.

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